Benefits Enrollment Period Starts Monday, May 1

The annual enrollment period for medical/prescription drug, flexible spending accounts, and supplemental insurance will be held May 1–12, 2017. This is your opportunity to make changes to your employee benefits. Everyone should log into BCEnroll (download log in directions) and verify their benefits. Any changes will be effective starting July 1, 2017.

NOTICE TO 9-10 MONTH EMPLOYEES: Changes in benefits will be reflected on your 10/5/17 paycheck. This may result in additional premiums for July and August or refunds in premium if applicable.

Medical/Prescription Drug, Dental and Vision Coverage

You will be able to

add or remove dependents on your medical insurance, or

change your medical plan from Plan 1, 2, or 3

Insurance changes will take effect July 1, 2017. This includes any changes made by the employee and any actual coverage level changes. Please review the following benefit comparison documents to determine which plan best meets your needs:

Based on the plan you choose, there could be cash back based on the district’s contribution to insurance. The cash back will be returned to the employee in their paycheck with IPERS applied to it and will be subject to all withholding taxes. Please note: Our rates have continued to run flat, there will be no increase in premiums for 2017-18.

Flexible (Flex) Medical & Dependent Care Reimbursement

This benefit is recommended for employees who have medical expenses, such as

co-insurance or co-payments,

dental,

eye glasses,

prescription drugs, and

child care costs for daycare (Dependent Care Reimbursement).

You must sign up each year for flex benefits, and you must use the money during the plan year—July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018—with a two and a half month grace period until Sept. 15, 2018.

The flex debit card option will allow members to instantly pay for qualified purchases (other than dependent care) from your flexible spending account, but you may be asked to substantiate the charges.

Money is taken out of your paycheck before taxes are withheld and placed in your account throughout the year. Your taxable income is reduced, which results in more take-home pay for you.

The maximum amount for unreimbursed medical expenses that can be deducted pre-tax has increased slightly to $2,600 per policyholder per calendar year. Dependent care maximum is the IRS limit of $5,000 per family per calendar year and can be split between two parents.

If you should choose flex benefits, you will be asked which category you are in:

Cycle 1: Certified Staff (24 Pay, Semi-Monthly)

Cycle 2: 9-10 Month Employees (Support Staff 16 Pay)

Cycle 2: 12 Month Employees (Support Staff 24 Pay Semi-Monthly)

KABEL Business Services in West Des Moines will continue to be our flex benefits administrator for the 2017-18 year.

Supplemental Life, AD&D, Spouse & Child Life

You may increase supplemental life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance during this enrollment period.

An additional employee supplemental life/AD&D in $10,000 increment may be purchased without underwriting if your current supplemental life/AD&D benefit is less than $100,000. You can purchase up to $500,000, subject to underwriting paperwork which is on BCEnroll website and is called Evidence of Insurability.

HIPAA & Other Benefit Notices

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy rule was issued to protect the privacy and confidentiality of personal health information. The West Des Moines Community School District is very committed to this law.

In order to best comply with the legislation, we ask that you direct all your personal health questions/claims to the toll-free number on the back of your insurance card. Your insurance carrier is the best source to directly resolve your concerns/questions. Questions regarding HIPAA should be directed to Donna Beerman, the HIPAA compliance officer for the West Des Moines Community Schools, at 633-5078.